Stereotype casting mechanism



June 26, 1934. E. J) Mlm 1,964,367

STEREOTYPE CASTNG MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l June26,1934.

E. J. SMITH 1,964,367

STEREOTYPE CASTING MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1932 3 Sheets-Shes?l 2lNvErg-ro June 26, 1934. E. J. SMITH 1,964,367

STEREOTYPE CASTING MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1932 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented June 26, 1934 STEREOTYPE CASTING MECHANISM I Ernest JamesSmith, Fleet Street, London, England,assignor to The Goss Printing PressCompany, Chicago, Ill., a corporation oi' Illinois Application April 6,1932, Serial No. 603,674

Great Britain September v25, 1931 e claims. (c1. 252-4) 'I'he inventionrelates to new and useful improvements in stereotype plate castingmechanisms, and more especially to improvements in means for positioningand holding the matrix and for controlling the temperature of thecasting mechanism.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in parthereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned bypractice with the invention, the same being realized and attained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations pointedl out in theappended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations and improvements herein shown,and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with othe description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawingsz- Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section throug amechanism for casting curved stereotype plates, the mechanism beingshown in the open position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the temperature controlling mechanism.

The principal objects of the invention are to improve the quality ofstereotype plates and to facilitate and speed up the casting operationby improvements in the means for positioning and holding the matrixwithin the casting mechanism and vfor controlling the temperature of thecasting mechanism within a very narrow range; that is, the temperaturerange most favorable to casting perfect plates. With these-ends in viewmeans are provided for holding the matrix, throughout its extent, firmlyand truly against the wall of the casting chamber and this is preferablydone by air suction means, which'may be in partor wholly automatic inits operation. 'l

The temperature-controlling means comprises devices cooperating tomaintain the component members of the casting chamber at a predeterminedtemperature, and preferably include heating and cooling devices arrangedfor alternative operation to eiIect thestated result. Controlling meansfor those devices are provided accordingly which automatically calleither the heating or cooling means into action,'or maintain both outyof action, to the end that the casting chamber member may be maintainedat the predetermined desired temperature of highest efficiency.According to certain features of the invention, the heating devices areelectrical, and the cooling elements are air-operated or pneumatic, withcircuit control for both the heating and cooling devices governed by athermostatic device or devices to effect the interrelated action alreadydescribed.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention illustratedby way of example in the accompanying drawings, the invention is shownapplied to a manually-operated mechanism for casting curved stereotypeprintingl plates, such as are used upon newspaper and k other rotarypresses. 'I'he general stereotyping mechanism (Fig. 1) comprises a. base1 upon which is xed a vertically-extending corel member 2 of approximatehemi-cylindrical form. Cooperating therewith in a well-known manner, toconstitute a casting chamber, is a drag or cover member 5, movablebetween the closed chamber casting position and an open position forinserting and withdrawing the matrices and'removing the cast plates. Inthe mechanism shown, the cover is of the balanced type whereby it ismoved from one position to another by the application of very littlepower, and tends to remain in any position to which it may be moved. Inthe embodied form of supporting and moving means for the cylindricalcover 5, there is fixed thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom, apair of arms 6, medianly located at either side thereof, and moving withthe cover just within the corresponding vertically-disposed side frames8, which frames are fixed to the base `l. Y Pivotally` connected at 9 tothe outer ends of the pair of arms 6 is a corresponding pair of arms 11,fixed on a shaft 12, journaled in and extending across between the twovertical side frames 8. Suitable handles (not shown) are provided formoving the cover 5 to and fro.

Means are provided for drawing the cover, when it is in the verticalposition, firmly against the proper bearing surfaces on the core 2, toconstitute and maintain the casting chamber, and then to move the cover,with the cast plate, away from casting position and toward theplateremoving position. The form of said means disclosed herein (Fig.1)-.is old and'well known, and mmprises a pair ofcamming hooks 16,located at either side of the upper part of the core. These hooks aremounted on a transversely-extending shaft 17, just back of the core,said shaft being journalled in brackets 18 fixed to the core structure.These hooks cooperate with pins 19 xed to` and extending outwardly fromeither side of the upper part of the cover 5. A similar pair of camminghooks 23 are mounted at either side, and near the bottom, of the core 2,these hooks being fixed on a shaft 24, extending across behind the coreand journalled in brackets 25, fixed to the core. These hooks cooperatewith pins 26 xed to and extending outwardly from either side near thebottom of the cover 5. In the embodied form common actuating means forthe camming hooks 16 and 23 are provided, comprising an arm 29 fixed tothe shaft 24, an arm 30 xed to the shaft 17, and a connecting link 31,pivoted to both arms. A hand lever 32 is fixed to shaft 17. By actuatingthe hand lever 32 in one direction, the two sets of camming hooks 16 and33 will draw the cover 5 firmly on to its bearings against the corepreparatory to casting, and by swinging the lever 32 in the oppositedirection, the hooks will push the cover 5 away from casting positionand towards the open position, in a well known manner.

The general form of matrix-holding means may be varied as desired and inthe embodied form comprises a head ring 37, to constitute the bottom ofthe casting chamber and to form the arcuate beveled head of the plate inthe usual manner, and Vside clamps 38, of standard or other suitableconstruction, for holding the side edges of the matrix and to constitutethe straight side edges of the chamber during casting; and may includeother devices as found necessary or desirable. The means for firmlyholding the matrix in position throughout its entire area, against thecover member 5, operates pneumatically, and comprises (Figs. 1, 2 and 3)a Very large number of suction creating points or loci in the inner ormat-bearing surface of the cover member 5. As embodied, a plurality ofair ducts 41 are arranged along and preferably within the structure ofthe cover member 5, and these communicate by a relatively large numberof openings 42 with the interior of the cover member 5. These openings,relatively close together and preferably spaced apart symmetrically,occur throughout the entire area back of the matrix. Air-exhausting andvacuum-creating means are provided connected with the pipes or passages41, and as embodied, an arcuate passage 43 (Figs. 1 and 2) is formed ator near the upper head of the cover 5, into which passage the upper endsof the ducts 41 communicate, the lower ends of the ducts being closed.Communicating with the arcuate passage 43 are air exhausting pipes 44and 45, which in turn communicate with an exhaust pipe 46, xed to andsupported upon the back of the cover 5, so as tomove therewith.Connected to the opposite end of the pipe 46 is a hose 47, or otherair-tight flexible connection, which in turn communicates with anysuitable air-exhausting or vacuum-creating device, shown as amotor-driven air-pump 48, mounted on the bed-plate l. When the pump 48is running air is drawn from the ducts 41 and a strong vacuum is createdat all the openings 42 in the cover member 5, behind all parts of thematrix, which is thereby held firmly, smoothly and uniformly to theinner face of the cover member 5.

The embodied form of means for controlling the operation of thevacuum-creating mechanism, is operable both by the attendant andautomatically by themovement of the cover membr.

As embodied (Fig. 1) there is a valve 53 in the pipe connection betweenthe hose 47 and the pump 48, the valve having an actuating lever 54,pivoted at 55, and irnpelled to the closed position by a spring 56.Pivotally connected to the other end of the lever 54, is a rod 57, theother end of which is pivotally connected to an arm 58, fixed to a shaft59, journalled in the frame 8. Fixed to shaft 59 exteriorly of the frame8 is a pedal 60, whereby the Workman may control the application of thevacuum. Means are likewise provided, cooperating with the mechanismalready described, for automatically maintaining the vacuum during thecasting, and as embodied, a cam 6l is fixed on shaft 12, and is soshaped and positioned that when the cover 5 is swung upwardly andforwardly to the casting position, the cam will depress lever 54, orwill hold it depressed, and thus the vacuum is automatically maintainedduring the casting. In the operation of the device, the workman canposition the matrix, substantially in the usual manner, and then bystepping upon the lever 60 the vacuum will be applied throughout theentire extent of the back of the matrix, and the matrix' will be drawnfirmly and truly into position against cover 5 in all its parts. Whilestill pressing the pedal 60 the Workman swings the cover up to castingposition, and the cam 61 will maintain the vacuum during the castingoperation.

The means of temperature control for the cover (Figs. 1 and 3), asembodied comprise a chamber, or plurality of chambers at the outside orback of the casting members 2 and 5, provided with heating devices andcooling devices, which may be automatically and alternatively Calledinto action, or both be kept out of action, preferably by automatictemperature responsive means. In the embodied form the back of the cover1 is provided with longitudinally and transversely disposed,outwardly-projecting ribs 67 and 68, and there is an outerhemi-cylindrical shell 73, integral with or resting against the outerfaces of the flanges 67 and 68, constituting with the ribs 67 and 68 aseries of closed chambers, which are connected by passages, such as 74,used in the air cooling or Ventilating. These chambers serve to hold andconserve the heat generated by heating elements located there- Within.The shell 73 may be of heat-insulating material if desired. Locatedwithin these chambers and against the back of the cover 5 are heatingelements 70, preferably electrical heating coils, which are in circuitwith a thermo- Static control. Thermostatic means forl turning on andolf the current for heating elements 70 are provided, and these are alsolikewise used to control the cooling means, and will be later described.

In the embodied form of cooling means, air currents are swept throughthe chambers 75. In said means, as applied to the cover member 5, airinlets 78 opening into the top chambers 75 are provided. The air entersthe inlets 78 from a manifold 79, formed by a casing 80 arranged overthe inlets (Figs. 1 and 3). An air supply pipe 83 connects to themanifold 79, and there is preferably provided a baille plate orairdistributing plate 84 within the manifold. Pipe 83 connects by aflexible hose 87 with an air supply pipe 88. In the pipe 83 is a valve89, controlled by a solenoid 90, which is in a circuit 91 which is underthermostatic control. The manner of operation of thetemperature-conserving device will be' later described.

4mately uniform temperature of the casting mem- Thetemperature-controlling means lfor the core 2, as embodied, are similarin construction and operation to those for the cover -5, as alreadydescribed. As embodied (Figs. 1 and 4) the cover is internally recessed,and is provided lwith a plurality of longitudinal ribs 97 and transversearcuate ribs 98, and the chambers are provided with a cylindricalclosure 103, preferably having an insulating lining 104, constituting aplurality of chambers 105 within the cylindrical casting part of thecore and having communicating passages 106. Located within the chambers105 are a plurality of heating elements 99, which are in circuit with athermostatic control.

The cooperating cooling means similar to that for the cover 5 comprisemeans for sweeping air through the chambers 105. As shown, there is anair supply pipe 108 opening into the top chamber 105, and an air outlet107 at the opposite or bottom end of the chambers. The pipe 108 has avalve 109 controlled by a solenoid 110, connected in a circuit 111 whichis controlled by the thermostatic device.

In Figure 5 of the drawings there is shown diagrammatically athermostatic control, which may be supplied separately to the core 2 andcover 5 or may be applied to both concurrently, as may be 4found mosteicient or convenient. A suitable thermostatic device 119 is provided,which may consist of a bi-metallic circuit control, or other known orsuitable device, and in the preferred embodiment this is movable bytemperature changes into three positions, namely, to close the circuitfor the heating devices while the circuit for the cooling devices ismaintained open, or to close the circuit for the air-cooling deviceswhile the heating circuit is maintained open, or to assume a positionwherein the circuits of the heating devices and cooling devices are bothmaintained open when the temperature is that required for proper or mosteicient operation of the casting mechanism. In Fig. 5 the heatingdevices and/or 99 are shown connected in a circuit 120, which has asolenoid-operated switch 121, the solenoid 122 of which -is in thecircuit 123 of the thermostatically-controlled device 119. Thevalve-operating solenoids and/or 110 are in a circuit 127, having asolenoid-operated switch 128, the solenoid 129 for which is in a circuit130 likewise controlled by the thermostatically-controlled device 119.Thus through the movements of the member 119 effected by temperaturechanges, either the heating coils are on and the air-cooling devices o,or the air-cooling devices are operated and the heating c'oils are offor they are both concurrently out of operation.

The invention in itsnroader aspects is not limited to the specificmechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefromwithin the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from theprinciples of the invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages. l

What I claim isz- 1. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including incombination casting members forming a casting chamber, a heating deviceand an air cooling device applied to at least one of said castingmembers and temperature controlled means for governing the action ofboth the heatbers.

2. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination castingmembers forming a casting chamber, a heating device and an air coolingdevice applied to at least one of said casting members and temperaturecontrolled means for governing the action of both the heating and aircooling devices, or for maintaining both said devices out of action tomaintain approximately uniform temperature of the casting members.

3. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination castingmeans, a chamber attached to a casting member, a heating device withinsaid chamber, and temperature controlled means for governing the heatingdevice to maintain an approximately uniform temperature of the castingmember.

4. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination memberscooperating to,

form a casting chamber, means for heating at least one of said membersandmeans for cooling said member, and means controlled by thetemperature of said member for preventing operation of said heating andsaid cooling means and for alternatively operating said means.

5. A stereotype plate casting mechanism including in combination a coverand core cooperating to form a casting chamber, means for heating andmeans for cooling said cover and core and means controlled by thetemperature of said cover and core for individually controllingoperation of said heating and cooling means.

6. In a stereotype plate casting mechanism, the combination of a curvedmember to form one side of a casting chamber, a plurality of electricheating members on one side of said curved member away from saidchamber, said heating members being spaced from each other and extendingaxially of said curved member and means controlled by the temperature ofsaid curved member for controlling the supply of current to said heatingmembers.

7. In a stereotype plate casting mechanism, the combination of acurvedmember to form one side of a casting chamber, a plurality of axiallyextending ribs on said member extending away from said chamber forsupporting a cover thereon, electric heating members positioned betweensaid ribs and parallel thereto, said heating members .extending over anarea approximately corresponding to the size of plate to be cast andmeans controlled by the temperature of said curved member forcontrolling the supply of current to said heating members.

8. A stereotype plate casting mechanism inof said members, means forcooling said member,

and temperature controlled means for either the heating or cooling meansinto action,

or for maintaining both of said meansout of ac-A tion.

ERNEST JAMES SMITH.

